Telephonic repeater.



No. 643,225. Patented Feb. 13, i900.

J. HOULEHAN. TELEPHUNIG REPEATEB.

(Application filed Sept. 14, 1899.;

(No Model.)

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JAMES IIOULEHAN, OF TOLEDO, OlEllO.

TELEPHONIC REPEATER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,22 5, datedFebruary 13, 1900.

Application filed September 14,1899. Serial No.730A29. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES HOULEHAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at T0- ledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephonic Repeaters;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which itappertains to make and usethe same.

My invention has reference to improvements in telephonic repeaters whichcan be adapted for telephonic or sound instruments, but more especiallyfor long-distance telephones and the like apparatus. I propose toprovide means for overcoming the obstructions incident to long-distancetelephony and to increase the sphere of usefulness of the telephone.

Theinvention consists ofcert-ainothernovel features of construction,which will be hereinafter fully set forth in the specification,elucidated in the drawing, and clearly pointed out in the claims.

The object of the present invention is to produce a repeater that willbe mechanically automatic in its operation, in contradistinction to theautomatic electric repeaters in present use, and at the same time haveall the parts constituting the same simple and of economicalconstruction and not liable to become deranged from continued use.

The ordinary automatic electrically-operated repeating instruments inpresent use consist of an electric magnet, around which the line-current flows and whose delicately-poised mechanism when attractedoperates a local circuit in which a local battery and connecting devicesare included. The principle of the repeater. is, then, that a currenttoo weak to do the work itself may set a strong local current to do itswork for it. Therefore the great objection to automatic electricalrepeaters is the delicacy of a portion of their construction and alsothe great danger of becoming deranged, which makes this class ofinstruments objectionable and unreliable. An

instrument that will transmit the pulsations or vibrations automaticallyand not be dependent upon an electrically-operated device,

such as a sensitive spring-armature, would evidently meet all therequirements desired in a device of this class. Such an instrument fortransmitting the vibrations through a repeater is the subject of thisapplication.

The repeater is constructed similar to the ordinary devices in presentuse, except the sensitive connections, for which I substitute a pivotedneedle or armature, which operates non-electrically through thepulsations or vibrations of sensitive diaphragms located on oppositeends of the armature, immediately opposite diaphragms secured on twoelectromagnet-frames, and having small rubber contacts between thediaphragms for transmitting vibrations from a receiving-magnet to arepeating-magnet. The diaphragms on the coil-frames are adjacent to thepoles of the coils, but do not contact said poles. The diaphragms aresecured to the opposite ends of the armature and are preferably circularin contour. Diametrically opposite the point where the diaphragms aresecured to the armature or needle are points or a continuation of theneedle for the purpose of equalizing the pulsations ofthe diaphragmsthrough the medium of adjustable set-screws adjacent to said points forregulating the movement of the armature.

To more fully elucidate my invention, I will proceed to describe thedrawing, which consists of a table having two electromagnets thereon andin communication with a nonmagnetic needle or armature which is pivotedcentrally between the electromagnets.

In the drawing, Aindicates a table and on which is pivotally mounted atB a needle or armature O, which has secured to its ends diaphragms D.Secured to said diaphragms are points cl, which are in alinement withthe needle or armature and may be considered as constituting portions ofsaid armature. Located centrally opposite said diaphragms D areelectromagnets 7 and S and which are provided with an extension 10 forsupporting diaphragms E. Interposed between said diaphragms D andE arerubber contacts g,which are cemented to said diaphragms. The points 01of the needle previously referred to are provided with contact'points e,which are screwthreaded and are adjustable in lugs f for regulating thevibratory movements of said needle 0 or armatures.

The numeral 15 indicates the line-wire, and

16 is a transmitting line-wire, or vice versa..

17 and 18 are battery-wires which lead to the battery 19, respectively.

When necessary to use my improved repeater, it is switched into theline-wires by an operator at the central station in the ordinary manner.As the switching device is so well known I have not shown it in thedrawing.

The diaphraglns E, previously referred to, are in close proximity to themagnetic poles 9, but do not'contact said poles.

I do not limit myself in the purpose to which my invention can beapplied, as it can be employed for submarine cables or under anyconditions requiring a telephonic repeater.

The operation of my improved repeating device com es under the followingknown principles: When soundwaves are projected against the diaphragmbefore the pole of a receiving-electromagnet, the diaphragm is set inmotion and caused to vibrate in front of the pole. By this action aseries of variations in the strength of the electric currents areinduced proportionate to and synchronous with the variations in themovement of the diaphragm, and these vibratory variations aretransmitted through a contact to the diaphragm on the armature, thelatter reproducing and converting its sonorous Vibrations to thediaphragms at the opposite ends of such vibratory armature into thetransmitting-coil 8, thus energizing the line-wire through said coilthrough its mechanical action.

Having thus described my invention, that which I consider as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a telephonic repeater, consisting of a vibratory needle orarmature, having diaphragms on opposite ends thereof, electromagnetsopposite said diaphragms, said electromagnets also bearing diaphragms,mechanical connections between said diaphragms for the purpose as shownand described.

2. In a telephonic repeater consisting of a vibratory needle havingdiaphragms on opposite ends thereof, rubber connections secured to saiddiaphragms, electromagnets opposite said diaphragms, diaphragms securedto the frames of said electromagnets, and said rubber connections alsosecured to said diaphragms for the purpose as specified.

3. In a telephonic repeater, of a vibratory armature or needle havingdiaphragms thereon, magnets bearing diaphragms opposite said vibratoryarmature-diaphragms, mechanical connections between said diaphragms,points secured to the vibratoryarmattire-diaphragm in alinementwith saidarmature and provided with stop-screws for the purpose as specified.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES HOULEHAN.

Witnesses:

W. REES EDELEN, WM. L. FORD.

